Halil the Pedlar eBook

There at the window of the Seven Towers stood Achmed,
in whose hands was now a far more terrible power than
when they held the wand of dominion, for in his fingers
now rests the power of cursing. It is sufficient
now for him to point the finger at those he loves
not, in order that they may wither away in the bloom
of their youth. Whomsoever he now breathes upon,
however distant they may be, will collapse and expire,
and none can save them; and he has but to pronounce
the name of his enemies, and torments will consume
their inner parts. The destroying angel of Allah
watches over his every look, so that on whomsoever
his eye may fall, that soul is instantly accursed.
Since the death of Ispirizade the people fear him
more than when he sat on the throne.

A deep silence fell upon the mob. Nobody dared
to speak.

And Achmed stretched forth his hand towards Adsalis.
Those who stood around the Sultana felt a feeling
of shivering awe, and began to withdraw from her,
and she herself durst not raise her eyes.

“Salute that pure woman!” cried the tremulous
voice of Achmed, “do obeisance to the wife of
Halil Patrona, and cover thy face before her, for
she is the true consort of her husband.”

And having uttered these words, Achmed withdrew from
the window whither the noise of the crowd had enticed
him, and the multitude clamoured as before; but now
they no longer tried to force the suite of the Sultana
to make way before Guel-Bejaze, but escorted Halil
Patrona’s wife back to the dwelling-place of
her husband.

Adsalis, desperate with rage and shame, returned to
the Seraglio. Sobbing aloud, she cast herself
at the feet of the Sultan, and told him of the disgrace
that had befallen her.

Mahmud only smiled as he heard the whole story, but
who can tell what was behind that smile.

“Dost thou not love me, then, that thou smilest
when I weep? Ought not blood to flow because
tears have flowed from my eyes?”

Mahmud gently stroked the head of the Sultana and
said, still smiling:

“Oh, Adsalis! who would ever think of plucking
fruit before it is ripe?”

CHAPTER XI.

GLIMPSES INTO THE FUTURE.

Halil Patrona was sitting on the balcony of the palace
which the Sultan and the favour of the people had
bestowed upon him. The sun was about to set.
It sparkled on the watery mirror of the Golden Horn,
hundreds and hundreds of brightly gleaming flags and
sails flapped and fluttered in the evening breeze.